The Ukrainian military achieved a major operational success by destroying a $100 million Russian Tu-22M3 bomber through drone operations. In an April 9 interview, Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi stated that a drone attack struck the bomber at the moment of its landing, but Russia has not confirmed this incident.
Russia’s strategic bomber force depends heavily on the Tu-22M3 aircraft together with the Tu-95 and Tu-160 bombers to execute aerial strikes. This swing-wing supersonic bomber entered service during the Cold War period and has received ongoing modernization, which keeps it powerful even in the current time. Russia can launch Kh-22 and Kh-32 cruise missiles from safe distances due to their extended operational range.
The Tu-22M3 maintains its status as a strategic weapon because of its Mach 2.05 speed capability and 6,800 km range and its modernized avionics system with AI-based systems and advanced communication technology from the Su-57 fighter. The Tu-22M3M stands out as the latest model of this aircraft because it gained superior combat capabilities through hypersonic missile integration, including the Kinzhal system.
Ukraine joins other forces in their attempt to diminish Russia’s strategic air capabilities. The Tu-22M3 aircraft has faced multiple attacks at Russian airfields since 2023 and 2024. A successful confirmation of this new strike would represent an extraordinary achievement by damaging one of the few bombers that can launch massive missile attacks from deep within Russian territory.
The Tu-22M3 represents Russia’s continued use of Cold War technology for today’s conflicts while Ukraine pursues asymmetrical warfare against Russian dominance.
